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MAIDENCOMBE.NET AUTHOR Jim Campbell

MAIDENCOMBE.NET AUTHOR Jim Campbell
Maidencombe resident since 1960. Local historian and author of the 'Coves of Maidencombe'.
Copyright © 2013 . All Rights Reserved.
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TIDES

KESTREL CALLING

BUZZARD IN MY GARDEN

RESERVE

NST

The bowl of the coombe as seen from Sladnor heights

The bowl of the coombe as seen from Sladnor heights

Maidencombe point

Maidencombe point
as seen above Maidencombe cove.

Blog Archive

Sunday, November 23, 2014

MTS VENGEANCE & PHANTOM AIS TUG

Taken Saturday afternoon after the visibility had improved.  Bear in mind that the vessels were over six miles away from me.  The AIS of the 'phantom' tug, MTS Venge disappeared overnight - but is now showing again.  A few theories have surfaced, but it remains a mystery how a vessel can be seen approaching the Vengeance from up the English Channel to take up station virtually alongside and not be seen.  To add to the mystery, no vessel of that name can be located in the registry.  It may be that one of the hulk tankers has had its AIS configured in order to be visible to other shipping and lessen the hazard of collision.
MTS Vengeance & tows Saturday afternoon. Vessel left foreground a trawler.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

MTS VENGEANCE - NEW DEVELOPMENT

MTS Vengeance & tows
An interesting development today with the arrival of another tug, MTS Venge.  I went out to the top of Marine Drive to take more footage - slightly better visibility and a mile or so closer.  Strangely, I could not see the other tug - though she is still showing on AIS.  Now believe that both tugs are virtually alongside and that is why the  other tug is not visible to me at my angle of filming.  The MTS Vengeance is now showing her next destination as Las Palmas - evidently for bunkering.

Sunday, November 16, 2014

MTS VENGEANCE & TWO TOWS IN BABBACOMBE BAY

SCHEEPVAART FORUM: Alerted by my contact Martin that the MTS Vengeance was en route to Babbacombe Bay with two barges, the Somtrans III  and the Somtrans VII.  The mini convoy arrived just before midnight Saturday and has anchored at the southern limits of Babbacombe Bay, some six miles off Maidencombe.  Poor visibility at present and I'll try and get clearer footage if the weather improves.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

IT'S FINALLY HERE

Front and back cover
Well, the waiting is finally over.  The 'Coves of Maidencombe'  arrived Wednesday afternoon and will shortly be available from the Thatched Tavern and the Orestone Manor in Maidencombe.
Priced at £5.00, the paperback is A5 format on gloss paper with 32 pages and full colour photographs and descriptions/features of all fourteen coves between Maidencombe and the Ness at Shaldon. 

Sunday, November 09, 2014

COVES OF MAIDENCOMBE

 The 'Coves of Maidencombe'  has gone to print and is scheduled for delivery this Tuesday.  Mentioned in the publication is the shelfway -  a difficult and potentially hazardous obstacle to scale.



The Shelfway above & to the north of Maidencombe Cove

Tuesday, November 04, 2014

COVES OF MAIDENCOMBE - READY TO PRINT

The final proofs of our long awaited publication 'Coves of Maidencombe' arrived today and the instruction to print will be issued tomorrow.  More information to follow.

Sunday, November 02, 2014

BUSY SUNDAY IN BABBACOMBE BAY

HMS MERSEY & BUOY LAYING VESSEL GALATEA
A busy Sunday in Babbacombe Bay as first the Buoy laying vessel Galatea arrived off the Emmstrom Buoys to carry out work and an hour or so later HMS Mersey arrived to take up station off Maidencombe.  It has been noted that one of the Emmstrom buoys had not been working correctly for the past few weeks and the Galatea might be replacing it if maintenance is unsuccessful.

ALAN HUNT'S 80TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Alan Hunt beside his photo montage
Born at Ferndale House, Rockhouse Lane in 1934, and in continual residence since then, Alan Hunt is the true 'Father of Maidencombe',  much respected and loved by all.  He celebrated his 80th birthday at Stokeinteignhead Village Hall, where family and close friends congregated to toast his good health.
Each candle representing a decade

BLOG CONTENT

BLOG CONTENT
The twinning of Maidencombe with Comeinbemad reflects the light-hearted nature of this gentle blog. The articles posted are written by the author alone and have no connection with any official body or association.

SLADNOR PARK CHALETS

SLADNOR PARK CHALETS
Eerily shrouded in mist, two of the lower chalets of Sladnor Park.

BURNING OF THE BAMBOO MAN JUNE 5 2016

AN ODE TO SLADNOR PARK

(sung to the tune of 'Home on the Range')

Oh give me a park where the badgers can roam
Where the deer and the wildlife reside
There never is heard the developer's word
To disturb where the denizens abide

Oh give me a park where the diggers are banned
And the architect can't earn his fee
Where the noise of the town
Is a far distant sound
And conservation is all it can be

For when houses are built
The council covered in guilt
And all the animals forlorn
Now the only sounds to be heard
Are vehicles absurd
And the cries of a motherless fawn

Jim Campbell

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OUR MAIN LINK - CLICK ON IMAGE TO REDIRECT

OUR MAIN LINK - CLICK ON IMAGE TO REDIRECT
THE ENDANGERED CIRL BUNTING - SYMBOL OF THE MAIDENCOMBE COMMUNITY GROUP

PUTTING MAIDENCOMBE ON THE MAP

PUTTING MAIDENCOMBE ON THE MAP
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MOST VIEWED POST ON THIS SITE

MOST VIEWED POST ON THIS SITE
The old Toll House on the west side of the A379 Teignmouth Road, stands at the junction of Claddon Lane with the A379 about 50 yards from Ridge Road and the former position of the black and white Solomons Post sign (see side panel right). This early photo shows the open porch (lower left) - now blocked off and the blanked out toll-board recess (top right). Under the angled roof on the right, there is a small shop and working post office. The building probably dates from 1827 when the new road was built. Originally named Solomon's Post Gate when there was a gate across the road for the toll collector to open upon payment.

RAMBLING GROUP WRITE-UP OF WATCOMBE TO MAIDENCOMBE WALK

Found this interesting little site with a rambling group's write up of walks. CLICK HERE FOR MAIDENCOMBE WALK ARTICLE

MAIDENCOMBER SLADNOR VIDEO AND WRITE-UP

YOUR LOCAL WEB APPROVES DREAMINCOMBES

YOUR LOCAL WEB APPROVES DREAMINCOMBES
After scrutiny by a panel, this site has been added as a reputable source of information about Maidencombe.

ARCHIVE: MAIDENCOMBE TIMELINE EVENING AT THE THATCHED TAVERN

The first Timeline evening took place Wednesday evening March 20th at the Thatched Tavern. Local lad Ziggy Austin's brainchild, it was an endeavour to map out the history of Maidencombe on a ten metre paper scroll. The initiative was first mooted and widely supported on Ziggy's Maidencombe Residents Facebook page. Residents and non residents were asked if they could research local history on the area and bring along any material such as postcards or text to place on the scroll.
The first evening was well attended and as can be seen in the photos on the left, a great deal was achieved.
Longest residing villager, Alan Hunt attended to add his considerable knowledge and was supported by his 'young' student Jim Campbell with a mere 53 years of residence under his belt.
The pub opened up the restaurant area for the occasion and were most generous in providing sandwiches for the studious throng.


SOLOMONS POST AT THE JUNCTION OF TEIGNMOUTH ROAD & RIDGE ROAD

SOLOMONS POST AT THE JUNCTION OF TEIGNMOUTH ROAD & RIDGE ROAD
No known images of this iconic Maidencombe landmark exist. Post war and up to the late 1960's, sign posts were wooden posts painted black and white. This is a close reconstruction of the sign where buses would actually pull in to for passengers to alight or board.

A UNIQUE VIDEO

A video of one of my foxes being treated for Sarcoptic mange - taking the medication on the food by hand. She recovered completely and my thanks go out to the Derbyshire Fox Rescue who supplied the medication.

DRAMATIC EROSION OF THE SOUTHWEST COASTAL FOOTPATH

Worth a look as Maidencombe's section of the SWCP is also very much under threat.

From myfoxesandbadgers site

ARCHIVE: DANGEROUS STATE OF CLIFF FACE

ARCHIVE: DANGEROUS STATE OF CLIFF FACE
Photo taken from the beach cafe above Maidencombe cove and the arrows indicate the cause for concern. A minor land slip has already taken place and the Environment Agency had a look Christmas eve in case the cove had to be closed.

ARCHIVE: Entrance to Crossways at Maidencombe Cross

ARCHIVE: Entrance to Crossways at Maidencombe Cross
After a catalogue of antisocial behaviour displayed by motorists illegally entering a private area, the police recommended that the entrance be made narrower. A sad indictment of society.

THE FOLLY AT SLADNOR PARK

THE FOLLY AT SLADNOR PARK
Constructed between 1830-1833 by Mrs Groves who inhabited Sladnor Manor House at the time. The hexagonal tower and accompanying arched outbuilding were built of Devon red sandstone. A projecting castellated cornice crowned the gothic apertures and single faux crossbow slit at ground level. A most interesting aspect of the folly is the purpose-built pony and trap winding carriage-way which Mrs Groves carved through the north western woods of the estate to facilitate her passage to and from the folly. The structure is now in poor condition and it is earnestly hoped that Richmond Villages, the new owners of Sladnor, will be able to make safe the folly to enable residents to enjoy in years to come.

FEATURES OF MAIDENCOMBE

Some of the features we will be mentioning:

ROCK HOUSE GAZEBO
THE CASCADE
THE IRON STILE
THE CASTELLATED FOLLY
THE BAT RETREAT
THE PUMP HOUSE
THE PILL BOX
THE 190 OAK
SMUGGLER'S LANE

GRADE 2 LISTED ROCK HOUSE GAZEBO

GRADE 2 LISTED ROCK HOUSE GAZEBO
Circa 1850. Constructed of Devon red sandstone with unfortunately, as is the case with the Sladnor Folly, some cement patching. Sited at the eastern end of the garden, overlooking the sea. A single storey structure with faux castellated parapet. It has a one-window front incorporating a gabled porch on the front to left with a segmental headed and arched doorway. There is a matching arched window to the right. Reportedly, the structure had a flight of external steps for access to the flat roof with commanding views of Lyme Bay. The interior is clay-tiled laid.